Rotating switch apparatus for controlling traveling message signs



Oct. 25, 1966 l. NAXON 3,281,824

ROTATING SWITCH APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TRAVELING MESSAGE SIGNS Original Filed Aug. 14, 1961 ZSheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

IRVING NAXON zwwfm ATTO R N EYS- Oct. 25, 1966 3,281,824

I. NAXON ROTATING SWITCH APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TRAVELING MESSAGE SIGNS Original Filed Aug. 14, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR' IRVING NAXON ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,281,824 ROTATING SWITCH APPARATUS FOR CON- TROLLING TRAVELING MESSAGE SIGNS Irving Naxon, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Naxon Telesign Corporation, Skokie, 111., a corporation of Illinois Continuation of application Ser. No. 131,362, Aug. 14,

1961. This application Aug. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 391,805 13 Claims. (Cl. 340334) This application is a continuation of copending United States application Serial No. 131,362, filed Aug. 14, 1961, now abandoned, titled Electric Selective Apparatus for Traveling Signs and the Like.

My invention relates to the transmission of characterforming impulses for traveling message signs, and more particularly to the means employed in the Electric Selective Apparatus patented by me on July 2, 1935 under No. 2,006,999 and December 24, 1957 under No. 2,817,- 703. In that apparatus several circuits of magneticallycontrolled balls are employed in conjunction with a plurality of feed screws indicated at in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of Patent No. 2,817,703 which keep the balls in linear traveling and companion relation, switches consecutively actuated by the balls procuring the lighting of the sign lamps; and each feed screw controls a cross-row of the sign lamps. The arrangement just outlined requires conduits not only for the going or operative course of the balls, but also for the return course thereof. Further, the bearing ends of the feed screws require the installation of a frame, bearings and interconnecting gears in order to operate the feed screws in unison. Further, the wiring to the lamps of the sign is complicated when a long message sign panel located on the outside of a building is connected to such a condensed switching area within the building, since thousands of wires may be required for the installation, making the problem of accessibility difiicult not only during the original connection of the crowded aggregation of wires, but during the maintenance of the apparatus, such as the replacement of lamp switches.

In view of the above conditions, it is primarily the object of the present invention to provide a novel method and simplify the apparatus, such as by eliminating the ball circuits and replacing the series of switch-controlling shafts with a single shaft which requires no gear train or multiplicity of bearings.

Another object is to provide an electric selective apparatus for controlling the selective operation of illuminable lamps disposed in a group of horizontal rows through the medium of a single rotary shaft which carries along its length a series or group of lamp-flashing elements, one for each row, and in which the shaft need only rotate at a fraction of the rate, for a given message-rate, as that required in the patent.

A further object is to provide a novel method and construct a lamp-flashing apparatus in which the cables which make up the lamp wires from each horizontal row of lamps may be run to a separate drum-shaped array of switches, spaced away conveniently from the other sets of switches.

Another object is to provide an electric selective apparatus for traveling message signs which can be made up of standardized components which may be grouped together in different numbers of units to meet varying field requirements. For example, my patent illustrates a control apparatus capable of handling up to seven horizontal rows of lamps in the sign panel. If, for example, a sign having ten rows of lamps were to be used, a specially built apparatus with more feed screws, gears and idlers would be needed. On the other hand, in my present invention the control apparatus may be varied by simply adding the desired number of rotors and co- 3,281,824 Patented Oct. 25, 1966 operating apparatus, all on and about one common shaft.

An important object is to provide lamp-switching apparatus in which several annular rows of lamp switches may be spaced apart sufliciently for all practical considerations, leaving each row openly accessible from the annular rim down to the supporting shaft, yet reducing the mounting and drive elements of the structure down to a single rotary shaft.

A better understanding of the invention may be gained by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- FIG. 1 is a vertical section of one form of the invention, showing parts grouped about a main shaft;

FIG. 2 is a fragmental section, taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section of a modification, with parts grouped about a main shaft;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmental section of the switch and switch-actuating parts;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental view from the numeral 22 in FIG. 4, showing the application of an armature to a shaft;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of parts viewed from the section line 66 of FIG. 3 but extended circumferentially to disclose a restore cam and other details;

FIG. 7 is a magnified fragmentary section showing the relationship between the individually-selectable armatures and the rotating pole pieces in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 8 and 9 disclose the simplified version of my mechanism in which some of the movable elements are eliminated; FIG. 8 being a fragmentary sectional View along line 8-8 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a diametrical cross-sectional view disclosing another form of my invention;

FIG. 11 discloses an adaptation of the cam mechanism employed in the above mentioned patent; and

FIG. 12 is a partial wiring diagram of the lamp panel in Patent No. 2,006,999, but with each of the lateral rows of ball switches which control a given vertical row of lamps therein replaced by a corresponding group of switches, one switch from each of the annular rows of switches, illustrated in the present case.

Referring specifically to the drawing, 1 denotes the main shaft of the improved apparatus. The function of the feed screw shafts in the patent is now assumed by a series of circular rotary discs 2 secured to the main shaft in longitudinally-spaced relation, as seen in FIG. 1. Where the feed screws 10 in the patent moved the balls in a linear course designed to actuate a similarly directed series of switch contacts 22, the actuating factor and the contacts in the improved embodiment are arranged in concentric relation above a plate 10.

The actuating elements for the switch contacts comprise a circular series of pins or selector elements 4 slidably journaled in each disc 2 close to its periphery. The pins have heads 5 at their upper ends and rollers 6 at their lower ends directed in the path of the discs rotation. The disc 2 has a deep peripheral groove 3 which allows the medial portion of each pin 4 to be intersected by a cross-pin 7. The pins 4 are supported in the low position seen in the upper part of FIG. 1 by resting the outer portions of the cross-pins 7 on a flat ring 8 surrounding the disc. The inner portions of the cross-pins 7 enter and have upward leeway in vertical slots 14 made in the bottom of the groove 3, the entry of the cross-pins into such slots also preventing the vertical pins 4 from turning.

The rotation of the disc 2 is induced at low speed by a suitable power source (not shown), and the heads 5 of the pins 4 come consecutively in line with the core tip 13 of an electromagnet 12 in the manner of the balls 100 and the core tip 103 in FIG. 4 of the patent. At such time each pin 4 is of course attracted to the raised position indicated in the right-hand lower part of FIG. 1. Since the flat ring 8 overlies the cross-pins 7, a cut-out 15 is made in the inner edge of the ring as seen in FIG. 2 in order to provide clearance for the cross-pins 7 in the region of the electromagnet when the pin 4 rises as mentioned.

The flat thin ring 8 is supported by having its outer portion inserted between upper laminations of a series of insulation blocks 9 surrounding the disc 2. Switch blades 11 comprise inserts between lower laminations of the blocks; and a vertical screw 9a is driven through each block and the inserts to thread into the base plate as indicated at 9b. The electromagnets are attached beneath each base plate as indicated at 12a; and it is understood that the main shaft and base plates are mounted on a suitable stand in a manner to maintain the rotary discs 2 at a given level above the respective base plates.

At this point it should be noted that the functional alignment of the elements described is to effect a series of annular rows of self-wiping switches .11 and concentrically with each row a separate rotating series of switch-actuating elements; each of the latter being selectable into one of two positions.

To effect the aforementioned alignment, the extreme ends of the shaft 1 may be rotatably journaled in a pair of terminal end plates, similar and parallelto plates 10. All such plates may be supported perpendicularly to and securely by a common base or frame member (not shown) extending parallel to the shaft. With such a rigid base support, the entire unit may be operated at various angles.

The left-hand lower portion of FIG. 1 shows a pin 4 free of magnetic influence and therefore at a low level. When the pin mounts the lower switch blade 11 as shown, it flexes the same to separate the contact points 11a of the switch, so that the same remains open and ineffective as a sign-character control. However, as each pin 4 is raised at the site of the electromagnet, the corresponding switches will, as the disc 2 turns, close and energize the desired lamps in the sign, this action being duplicated in proper relation by the elements of the other discs in the group. The innermost ends of the radially-disposed contact blades 11 form a circular array of flexible blades over which the rollers 6, made of an insulating material, ride.

In the modification in FIGS. 3 to 7, the rotary main shaft is shown at 16, and the rotary discs are replaced by drums 17 which rotate with the shaft 16. Each drum is now rotated adjacent a stationary cross-disc 23, these parts being supported by a suitable frame or stand not shown. It is noted in FIG. 3 that the cross-disc 23 has a center bore 23a through which the main shaft 16 passes freely; and the cross-disc has a peripheral groove 23b defining an inner flange 24.

The electromagnet 28 is carried by non-ferrous brackets 27 depending from the plate 26 supported by said frame; and the core of the electromagnet is extended with pendent pole-pieces 29 for the interposition of an articulating element in the form of rotating pole-piece extensions 30 journaled by suitable means (not shown) to rotate in timed relation with the main shaft 16 through the medium of a non-ferrous supporting shaft 31. Thus, the steps 18 (see FIG. 7) in the rotation of the drum 17 carried by the main shaft turn in unison with the teeth 32 of the pole-piece wheels carried by the countershaft 31.

For the purposes of efliciency the magnetic gaps between the pole-pieces and their rotating counterparts are narrow. As noted in FIG. 7, the diameter of the drum 17 and consequently the drum-shaped array of armatures 18 is large in relation to the magnetic'rotors 30. The purpose of this relationship is to impart to the polar teeth 32 a rapid approach and withdrawal to and from the drum periphery as the former and latter rotate, in

opposite directions as indicated by curved arrows, at the same peripheral speed. Thus only one pole-teeth 32, the one rotationally opposite and therefore in direct magnetic alignment with a given armature 18, will influence but one armature at a time because all the other pole-teeth will at that moment be too far away to influence the adjacent arma-tures. It should also be noted that to prevent magnetic leakage various parts such as 17, 23, 2 and 10, should be made of non-magnetic material. To minimize the movements required, the combiner flange 24 and the ends of stems 20 engaging therewith, should be made as thin as practical; for illustration purposes these values are shown somewhat enlarged.

The switch closing elements in the modification are an angular series of angle-shaped armatures 18, each mounted at the angle on a curved wire shaft 21, the latter being journaled in a web 22 in the angle of the armature as seen in FIG. 5. Beyond the angle each armature has an inward stem 20, while the outer end of the armature has a bend 18a which journals a roller 19. The hinge structure shown in FIG. 5 is optional but might be desired where a friction between the armature and its supporting shaft is required in the event the entire unit is operated at such an angle that freely-pivoted armatures might shift from set positions before being locked therein, as will presently be understood.

FIG. 4 shows one of the armatures 18 when it is positioned against the periphery of the drum 17. Full lines show that the flange 24 of the cross-disc 23 bars the armature stems 20 with the effect of holding the armatures radially inwardly and preventing the rollers 19 from operating the lamp switches as they roll lightly over them.

The flange 24 has an opening 33, through which the stems are magnetically shifted as the armatures are selectively operated; the latter remaining locked in selected combinations on one side or the other of the flange 24 which acts as .a combiner disc. When the drum 17 is in rotation and carries the rarrrratureswhose stems 20 are shown in FIG. 6toward the left, it will be apparent that the cam 34 will from a lead-in to urge the armature stems from the dottedline to the full-line position seen in FIG. 4. T1116 cross-disc 23 carries an insulation ring 36 secured by screws 37 to hold an annular series of pairs of switch blades 35 whose contacts 35a are spaced as long as the armatures 18 are held locked against the drum by the flange 24. Now, when an armature is swrung outwardly to the dotted-line position by the influence o f the magnet, the armature roller 19 bears on the inner switch blade 35 to flex the same to the dotted-line position, so that the upper contact 35a engages th'e llower one to close the switch. Asa given roller passes over an annular series of switch blades, which blades are in turn successively connected to an assigned horizontal row of lamps on the sign, the illusion of travel along the sign is effected. The diameter of the rollers 19 is dependent upon the annular space between adjacent longer-blades, as well as the amount of adjustment and self-wiping action desired of the contacts 35a. In any event these values should be such as to prevent the rollers from tnavelling outwardly too deep between the blades, lest the armatures and rollers hook against the edges of thelbllades. The latter undesirable action is prevented by virt-u'e of the large diameter rollers 19 which, in rolling over the annular array of blades, is prevented from falling therebetween, this obvious mechanical overlap also causing a corresponding electrical overlap as one switch is closed and the next one opened. The electrical overdap (simultaneous energizing) during the switching of the lamps may be desirable in the operation of the display, especially where filament lamps are used and a time-element is desired to bring a given filament up to full temperature before the filament of the lamp previously operated is extinguished.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be noted that the flange 24 constitutes a combiner disc or cam, since the stems or fingers 20 are selectively positioned magnetically, only while they are rotationally opposite the open-ing 33, to remain locked in the groove 23b or to the right thereof against the rib 25. Once the stems are selectively combined on either side of the combiner disc, they remain locked into this combination during the rotation of the drum and until they are rotated past the restoring cam 34 to remt the stems back into normal position which is in the groove 23b.

Referring back to FIGURE 1 it should be noted that a restore-cam similar to 34 in FIG. 6 (not shown in FIG. 1 or on the other structures) may be employed in this structure, to force the magnetizable heads 5 down to open-contact position, against the action of the weak lower contact blades 11 which are insufficiently strong to overcome either the weight or the normal friction or ran intentionally-stronger friction associated with the shifting of the pins 4; such extra friction, if desired, can be derived by the use of friction bushings which support each pin 4 in the disc 2.

Each annular series of switches should comprise as many switches as there are vertical rows of lamps on the sign, but in no event may the series be extended to form a complete circle since some switches must be omitted to form a rotational gap at the point when the counter-shaft 31 and the series of magnets 28 occur.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, each annular POW of switches 11 should likewise be extended, but short of a complete circle, in order to provide a gap between the first and last switch of each annular series; such gap is to accommodate a setting point analogous to in line with the magnet 12. In a similar manner, the ring 36 is left sufliciently short of a complete circle of switches to provide a gap opposite the setting opening 33 near which the shaft 31 and the magnets 28 are stationed. In any event the spacing between adjacent switches and adjacent armatures is always the same number of degrees apart and there will be more of the latter which fill a complete circle while a gap as large as 90 between the first and the last switch may be employed to accommodate the selector magnets.

In order to avoid the use of separate switch-operating elements 5 which are slidably selected and mechanically locked into one of two positions during the rotation cycle, or armatures 18 which are moved about hinge pins while selected and locked in a similar manner, I have provided a simplified structure in FIGS. 8 and 9 which eliminates some of these elements.

The stationary drum-s 39, made of .a suitable insulating material, each carry an annular series of contact-bearing switch tongues 40 each terminating in connecting-lugs 40a. The outer-most blades are each provided with a I-shaped extension 41, the end of which, by :a small gap 42 is spaced away from the cylindrical rim of the drum 39. This longer blade also carries a soft-iron armature 50, fastened parallel to its length. One drum 39 is provided for each horizontal now of lamps on the sign and the switch contacts 43 are connected consecutively to flash and lamps in a sequential order.

Assuming there are seven horizontal rows of lamps on the sign, then seven drums 39 will be required and fastened in tandem relation to one another by means of L-brackets 44 and a longitudinal base 45.

Each outer drum is provided with an inner rotating drum 46 made of a non-magnetic material and keyed for rotation with a shaft 47. The 'entire circular portion 48 of the drum carries a series of spaced U-shaped magnets 49, the pole-pieces of the latter being embedded securely in the cylinder wall 48, the .pole tips being flush with the outer surface of the cylinder.

The magnets are semi-permanent, that is, if conventional steel is employed it need not be quite as hard in temper as might be required for so-called permanent- 6 magnet usage. Apart from these piec'es, all the remaining magnetizable core pieces used herein are made of soft magnetic iron.

During rotation of the drum the magnets 49 (again as with magnets 1212a of the patent) are selectively magnetized by means of electromagnets 51 firmly supported by a block 52 so that the pole pieces thereof occur, through a small gap, into successive magnetic alignment with the magnets 49, as the drum rotates. Instead of horseshoe magnets, the members 49 may comprise a squirrel-cage arrangement of straight bars lying parallel to and opposite of the armatures; said bars being uniformly spaced apart and embedded into, so as to lie flush with the cylinder 48. The coils 51 are equivalent to the coils 1212a in my Patent 2,817,703, and being selectively energized by the signals in the message tape, the magnetized pieces 49 serve to close the lamp switches in a similar manner to which the presence of a steel ball in the patent performs the task. I

The armature-supporting spring 40 can be made rather weak to enable a light magnetic pull to close the points 43. I have found that a pull in the neighborhood of A to 1% ounces will operate satisfactorily. The gaps 42 should be such as to close after the points 43 connect together, but yet prevent the armature from dragging frictionally against the drum or tending to stick to the magnets.

Means for demagnetizing the steel pieces 49 during each revolution of the drums, in order to remove objectionable residual magnetism from the previous magnetic charge is provided in the form of an A.C.-excited demagnetizing coil 82 connected continuously to a source of A.C. and having a laminated core stack 83 and two laminated pole-pieces 84. Both ends of the core stack 83 are pressed into square holes in the pole-piece stacks and the entire demagnetizing assembly is supported rigidly in any manner, such as from the base 45, by a heavy U-shaped bracket of non-magnetic material.

In terms of rotative direction, the demagnetizing unit for each drum is placed behind the magnetizing coils and the pole faces 84a are shaped to follow the drum contour rather closely with a gradual tapering away at 8417, in order to taper off the demagnetizing influence of the coil 82 on the magnets 49 as the drums rotate. If the sign is made up of 7 horizontal rows of lamps then, as viewed from FIG. 9, the remaining '6 units required, including the corresponding rotary and stationary drums, the magnetizing and demagnetizing assemblies each lie in a straight line behind one another, such lines running parallel t0 the common shaft 47 and base 45.

In order to impart a stronger and longer magnetic charge to the magnets 49 during their rotation past the electromagnets 51, the rotating pole-piece arrangement shown in FIG. 3 may be employed in lieu of the stationary electromagnet 51 of FIG. 8. The advantage of this combination resides in the fact that the magnetic teeth 32, which in such event rotate with the magnets 49, could be made to not only actually touch the pole pieces of the latter, but because they move together for a short distance, the magnetic charge imparted would be enhanced.

With specific reference to FIG. 10 the main drumcarrying shaft is shown at 55. In lieu of the shaft 31 a counter-shaft 56, geared to run with 55 but at a much faster speed, is employed.

Each of the drums 57 in this arrangement is provided with a spool-shaped periphery to accommodate a series of slidable selectors, or selector elements, 54 between the two spool flanges similar to the way the pins 4 are slidably carried by the discs 2 in FIG, 1. The selectors 54 may be made of unitary turnings comprising a larger central body terminating into smaller diameter stems 54a and provided with a cone-shaped central enlargement 54b and a round-shouldered detent portion 540. The function of the latter is to engage the V-shaped end of a flat spring 58, fastened to the drum by a screw 59. Such engagement, when a selector 54 is moved endwise, causes the detent-action to yieldably lock same into either one of two positions. For the same reasons employed in connection with FIGS. 1 and 3, each rotary drum 57 is likewise provided with a cooperating adjacent switch-supporting plate 60; each of the latter is provided with and slidably supports a circular row of plunger pins 61.

The plunger pins are disposed co-axially with the selectors 54, are provided with enlarged insulating head portions 62 while the opposite ends are rounded to provide semi-spherical engagement surfaces for movement by the flat ends of the selectors when the latter are shifted to the left as shown in the drawing. When a given selector remains in normal position to the right, the left end of 54a clears the rounded ends of the plunger pins leaving the latter in their unshifted position during rotation of the drum. However, when a selector is shifted to the left and locked into this position by the detent action explained, the left-hand end thereof rides the engagement surfaces of the plunger pins pushing them successively a short distance to the left as the drum rotates. Each of the plunger pins is adapted to operate a lamp switch comprising contact-carrying blades 63 supported by plate 60 through the medium of the insulator block 64. The longer blade 63 is tensioned against the insulator 62 to normally position this head against the plate 60, thus keeping the plunger pin 61 shifted to the right in which position the contact points open.

Means for shifting the selector rods to operate the lamps in response to transmitted signals is provided through apparatus rotating on shaft 56; but unlike the rotating magnet 30 in FIG. 3, this shifting apparatus is mechanical. A spool-shaped rotor 64, fastened for rotation with its supporting shaft 56, slidably carries between its flanges an annular series of pre-selector members 65. These members comprise a cone-shaped central portion made integrally with the smaller diameter shaft portions 66 and enlarged head 67. The function of the members 65 is to shift the selectors 54 to the left when the former are firstpre-shifted to the left in the following manner: It will be noted that the diagonal cone surfaces of 5412 and 65 are adapted to slidably engage with one another and here again, as with the relationship between shafts 16 and 31 heretofore explained, the gear ratio between the shafts 55 and 56 is such that the peripheral speeds of the drum 57 and rotor 64 are identical; the object being to assure that for each member 54b that passes there will always be a corresponding cone member 65 in intermeshing rotational alignment therewith.

FIG. illustrates a selector and pre-selector at the height of their rotational engagement resulting in the latter having pushed the former to the left as the two inclined surfaces rollably engage one another. It will therefore be evident that had this engaged cone 65 been positioned to the extreme right limit of its endwise motion, the two intermeshing inclines would fall short of contacting one another and the switch-operating selector 54 would have remained in its right-hand position.

Means for selectively shifting the pre-selectors into engaging positions to the left, in accordance with transmitted signals, is provided to include an electromagnet 68, responsively operable as are the coils 12-12:: in the patent. The ferro-magentic circuit for the coil 68 includes a supporting core and a yoke 69 at one end of which an armature 70 is pivotally hinged. An armature return-spring 71 opposes the pull of the magnet to normally hold the armature against a stop post 72; this entire electromagnet structure being supported on a shelf 73 mounted perpendicular to the plate 60. The free end of the armature is formed at right angles to its length and the edge thereof is curved semi-circular to provide a cam-like engaging edge for the purpose of shifting the members 65 to the left when the electromagnet is energized. I

A combiner disc 74 is supported concentrically with the shaft 56 through the medium of a sleeve 75, the latter being pressed firmly into the plate 60. As previously described, in this modification the combiner disc serves to lock the heads 67 on either side thereof and the notch 76 adjacent the zone of the electromagnet 68 permits shifting these heads therethrough whereupon the rotation of the shaft 56 will cause the combiner disc to hold the pre-selectors into their locked positions as they pass the peripheral series of the members 54b.

Just prior to the rotational approach of the pre-selectors for influence by the armature, the slot 76 may be made with an adjacent restore cam, as shown at 34 in FIG. 6, to return any of the shaft heads 67 back to the extreme right in readiness for re-selection by the electromagnet if the signals so dictate. Instead of a restore cam, each of the shafts 66 may be provided with a light compression coil spring placed at point s in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10 the alternate electromagnet 77 shown in dotted lines is adapted to attract the heads 67 by direct magnetic action; in such even these heads are made of iron for attraction to the core of the coil 77.

It should be noted that in all of these illustrated forms the members 5, 20, 49 and 54, like the steel balls in the aforementioned Patents 2,006,999 and 2,817,703, comprise message-storing elements which serve to receive and store a message during its travel across the sign, following which these message-storing elements or selectors, like the steel balls, are returned to normal position. While the pre-selectors 65 serve a somewhat similar purpose, their function is more temporary serving to receive and store a small part of said message only long enough to activate the storage-elements, with the rotative forces of shafts 55 and 56, such forces are much greater than if the armature 70 were called upon to directly act against the right hand ends 54a of the selectors.

In the Patent 2,817,703 the rotating screws have to make one complete revolution in order to advance the travelling message on the sign by one complete vertical row of lamps and the cam 26 is therefore required to make and break the contacts 27 but once per revolution. Using corresponding reference numerals, in the present invention FIG. 11 shows that the cam will now require as many teeth 26a as there are storage elements 5, 20, 49 and 54 moving relatively slow about their respective shafts 1, 16, 47 or 55, as the case may be.

By way of specific example, it will now be more evident how one of the objects of my invention can be realized. With reference to a traveling message sign display such as listed in Patent No. 2,006,999, it will be noted that there are 8 longitudinal rows of lamps. In the past it has been the practice to run the lamp wires from the control apparatus to the display in bulky and cumbersome cables involving tedious separation of the individual wires prior to connecting them to the proper lamps. Assuming in this case that the horizontal rows of lamps are separated one-foot apart, a neat and orderly array of wiring to the lamps can be attained by similarly placing the rotors and switch supports (see FIG. 1 a foot apart. In such event, core-extensions will be required at 12a. With the shaft I placed vertically inside of the sign box and with each row of lamp switches 11 disposed to the rear and in vertical alignment with its corresponding row of lamps, it will be more evident that a systematic and orderly array of connecting wires between the lamps and the corresponding series of switches is attained.

It is now apparent that the invention, in its various forms, is a compart departure from the patented one by the grouping of controls in any number on a single shaft and in a much smaller space that the ball-circuits covered in the prior art patents. Also, this arrangement greatly simplifies other techniques accessory to the control means, as explained in the foregoing.

I claim:

1. In a changing message display sign comprising a longitudinal display field made up of a plurality of transverse and longitudinal rows of selectively illuminable lamps, a plurality of separated annular rows of lamp switches one for each longitudinal row of lamps disposed co-axially about a common shaft in separated groups, a separate rotor for each group rotatable in concentric relation therewith and each carrying an annular series of switch-operating members adapted on momentary contact during rotation to operate said switches to flash said lamps in moving-character formations which contain longitudinal and transverse lines among the characters, each of said switches comprising a pair of parallel elongated contact point supports which include a make-and-break action and are mounted stationary relative to the rotation of the said rotor, all of said contact supports extending radially with respect to said common shaft, all of said rotors being indexed in fixed annular relation to one another and to said switches and effecting a synchronized operation among the corresponding switches in each group of said series and causing the lighting of transverse rows of lamps to make transverse lines within a given character held in indexed transverse alignment during the longitudinal movement of said characters across said field.

2'. A changing message sign comprising a plurality of longitudinal rows of lamps in a display field, electric selective apparatus therefor comprising for each of said rows an annular series of lamp switches and a separate rotor for each series disposed in concentric relation thereto, each of said rotors provided with switching members adapted to be selectively moved, while the rotors are in a predetermined rotative position, into one of two positions and to be restored to original position when the rotors are in another predetermined rotative position, each of said switches comprising a pair of parallel elongated contact point supports whichexcept for a comparatively nominal make-an-d-break -action-are stationary relative to the rotation of the said rotor, each of said annular series of lamp switches being mounted on a separate stationary support disposed adjacent to and for cooperation with its corresponding rotor, and an annular series of plunger members in each of said supports, said plunger members being slidably supported for endwise movement therein and having one end thereof in constant engagement with one contact support of each pair, and the other end of said plunger members disposed for selective engagement with said switching members, and a single shaft journalled in a pair of end members and carrying all of said rotors in spaced tandem relation to one another.

3. Electric selective apparatus for lamp-flashing changing message signs comprising a shaft, a group of annular rows of lamp switches disposed about said shaft, another shaft running lengthwise of said group, rotatable switchactuating means associated with and carried by said firstnamed shaft for operating the lamp switches in characterformation each of said switches comprising a pair of contact blades adapted upon engagement to flash said lamps by the rotation of the first-named shaft, and electro-responsive means associated with and operable during the rotation of the last-named shaft for selectively operating said switch-operating means carried by said first-named shaft.

4. In changing message signs made up of a plurality of longitudinal rows of illuminable sign elements, apparatus therefor having a longitudinal supporting frame and a shaft extending lengthwise thereof, said shaft carrying a plurality of rotors one for each longitudinal row of sign elements, each of said rotors being provided with a series of selectors adapted to be locked into one of two positions during the turning of said rotors, a plurality of setting stations extending lengthwise of said apparatus and comprising electromagnet means disposed adjacent the peripheries of said rotors for selectively setting the selectors into character-formations, each of said rotors being provided with an independently-supported annular row of stationary switches, each of said switches in respective connection with said illuminable sign elements and having a pair of contacts requiring a nominal make-and-break motion relative to the rotation of said rotors to operate said elements and each of said independently supported rows being arranged in close adjacency to and in progressive alternation with said rotors along said shaft, the degree of said adjacent being sufficient to permit said selectors to effect said nominal contact motion during rotation of said rotors.

5. In a traveling message sign, a field comprising a plurality of longitudinal rows of selectively illuminable members, electric selective apparatus therefor having a number of annular rows of switches, one row for each of said rows of illuminable members, a longitudinal shaft extending lengthwise of said apparatus, a plurality of selectively movable members disposed parallel to said shaft, to oneanother and in a plurality of annular groups rotatable as such co-axially about said shaft, each of said annular groups being adapted to control the operation of a corresponding annular row of switches, each of said movable members being arranged for selective longitudinal move- I ment into one of two positions in response to electric signals, an electromagnet for each group controlled by said signals and arranged for selective actuation of the movable members, means for rotating said plurality of annular groups about said shaft in timed relation to said signals and said electromagnets being spaced from one-another in a longitudinal line extending lengthwise of said apparatus, a secondary shaft extending lengthwise of said apparatus adjacent to said line of electromagnets and adjacent to the peripheries of all of said annular groups of movable members and geared for rotation with said firstnamed shaft but at a higher speed, said secondary shaft carrying means operable by said electrom-agnets for operating said movable vmembers during rotation of both said shafts, said last-named means comprising a second plurality of selectively movable members adapted to store said signals in character formation therein for a period sufficiently long to permit the transfer of same, during rotative engagement with said first-named plurality of selectively movable members, into said first-named plurality of selectively movable members during rotation of said shafts.

6. In a traveling message sign, a field comprising a plurality of longitudinal rows of selectively illuminable members, electric selective apparatus therefor having a number of annular rows of switches, all rows of equal diameter and one row for each of said rows of illuminable members, a longitudinal shaft extending lengthwise and rotatably supported at each end of said apparatus, a plurality of selectively movable members disposed parallel to said shaft, to one-another and in a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular groups rotatable as such coaxially and in unison about said shaft, all of said annular groups carried by separate rotors of equal diameters and adapted to control the operation of a corresponding annular row of switches, each of said movable members being arranged for selective longitudinal movement into one of two positions in response to electric signals, a separate stator for each rotor each stator carrying an annular series of switches each of which has a pair of contact points which-except for a comparatively nominal make-andbreak action-are stationary relative to the rotation of said rotors an electromagnet for each group controlled by said signals and arranged for selective actuation of the movable members and means for rotating said plurality of annular groups about said shaft in timed relation to said signals.

7. In a changing message sign, a field comprising a plurality of longitudinal rows of selectively illuminable members, electric selective apparatus therefor having a number of annular rows of switches, all rows of equal diameter and one row for each of said rows of illuminable members, a stator-supported switch-actuating plunger member for each switch, a longitudinal shaft extending lengthwise and rotatably supported at each end of said apparatus, a plurality of selectively movable members disposed parallel to said shaft, to one-another and in a plurality of annular groups rotatable as such co-axially about said shaft, each of said annular groups being of equal diameter and adapted to control the operation of a corresponding annular row of switches through the medium of its corresponding plunger member, each of said groups of movable members being carried by a separate rotor and arranged for selective movement into one of two positions in response to electric signals, a separate stator for each rotor each stator carrying an annular series of switches each of which has a pair of contact points which-except for a comparatively nominal makeand-.break action-are stationary relative to the rotation of said rotors, an electromagnet for each group controlled by said signals and arranged for selective activation of the movable members and means for rotating said plurality of annular groups about said shaft in timed relation to said signals.

8. In a traveling message sign, a field comprising a plurality of longitudinal rows of selectively illuminable members, electric selective apparatus therefor having a number of annular rows of switches, one row for each of said rows of illuminable members, a longitudinal shaft extending lengthwise of said apparatus, a plurality of selectively movable members disposed parallel to said shaft, to one-another and in a plurality of annular groups rotatable as such co-axially about said shaft, each of said annular groups being adapted to control the operation of a corresponding annular row of switches, each of said movable members being arranged for selective longitudinal movement into one of two positions in response to electric signals, an electromagnet for each group controlled by said signals and arranged for selective actuation of the movable members, means for rotating said plurality of annular groups about said shaft in timed relation to said signals and said electromagnets being widely spaced from one-another in a longitudinal line extending lengthwise .of said apparatus, a secondary shaft extending lengthwise of said apparatus adjacent to said line of electromagnets and adjacent to the peripheries of all of said annular groups of movable members and geared for rotation with said first-named shaft but at a higher speed, said secondary shaft carrying means operable by said electromagnets for operating said movable members during rotation of both said shafts.

9. In a traveling mes-sage sign, a field comprising a plurality of longitudinal rows of selectively illuminable members, electric selective apparatus therefor having a number of annular rows of switches, one row for each of said rowsof illuminable members, a longitudinal shaft extending lengthwise of said apparatus, a plurality of selectively movable members disposed parallel to said shaft and in a plurality of annular groups rotatable as such co-axially about said shaft, each of said annular groups being adapted to control the operation of a corresponding annular row of switches, each of said movable members being arranged for selective longitudinal movement into one of two positions in response to electric signals, an electromagnet for each group controlled by said signals and arranged for selective actuation of the movable members, means for rotating said plurality of annular groups about said shaft in timed relation to said signals and said electromagnets being spaced from oneanother in a longitudinal line extending lengthwise of said apparatus, a secondary shaft extending lengthwise of said apparatus in relatively close adjacency to both said lines as well as to the peripheries of all of said annular groups of movable members and geared for rotation with said first-named shaft but at a higher speed, said secondary shaft carrying means operable by said electromagnets for operating said movable members during rotation of both said shafts.

10. In a changing message sign system comprising a display field made up of a plurality of longitudinal rows of selectively illuminable members, a switch for each of said members having a pair of contact points whichexcept for a comparative nominal make-and-break action between said points-is stationary, a tensioned contact blade supporting one of said pair of contact points, a co-acting plunger member for each of said tensioned contact blades adapted upon endwise movements thereagainst to effect said make-and-break action between a corresponding pair of contact points, all of said switches and co-acting plunger members arranged in a plurality of separated annular rows, one for each longitudinal row of illuminable members, rotor means for all of said annular rows of switches and plunger members and carrying a plurality of annular rows of selectors each row of which is adapted for rotative engagement with said plunger.

members, signal-responsive means associated with each of said annular rows of switches for operating the contact points therein through the medium of said co-acting plunger members opposing the action of its correspond: ing tensioned contact blade, and said signal-responsive means adapted to move the selectors in said annular rows into one of two positions during rotation of said rotor means.

11. In av traveling message sign system comprising a display field made up of a plurality of longitudinal rows of selectively illuminable members, apparatus therefor having a stationary switch for each of said members, each of said switches comprising a pair of contact blades, said switches disposed in a series of annular rows one for each row of illuminable members, a plunger for each switch adapted for endwise movement with one end thereof in co-acting engagement with a switch blade, a plurality of rotors, one for each annular row of switches, disposed for rotation about a common axis and each carrying a plurality of annular rows of selectors which are shiftably-supported thereon for movement into one of two positions and with each row adapted to control a corresponding row of switches, all of said switch blades disposed substantially parallel to one another and to said axis, said plungers extending parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the blades with the opposite ends thereof arranged to present an annular array of plunger surfaces disposed in the circular path of said selectors and to engage with the latter during rotation of the rotors when the selectors are moved into one of two positions, means for rotating all of said rotors in synchronism, and signal-responsive means for operating the selectors during rotation of the rotors to effect the selective endwise movement of said plungers to operate the switches accordingly.

12. In a system for transmitting to a signal-controlled, changing message sign in which a prescribed quantity of character permutations appears across said sign at one time, comprising in combination: first means for receiving signals to be transmitted to said sign, said first means including first storage means for storing said signals in character permutations and in a quantity of permutations less than said prescribed quantity of permutations to appear across said sign, means for restoring said first storage means having said lesser quantity of permutations to a normal condition, means for concurrently transferring said stored signals to a second signal receiving means, second storage means for storing said transferred signals in character permutation in said second signal receiving means and in said prescribed quantity to appear across said sign at one time, and means for concurrently restoring said second storage means to normal condition to prepare said second signal receiving means to receive subsequent signals to be transferred from said first signal receiving means.

13. In a system for transmitting a signal-controlled, changing message to a sign in Which a prescribed quantity of character permutations appears across said sign at one time, comprising in combination: a signal transmitting means, first means for receiving signals to be transmitted to said sign, said first means including first storage means for storing said signals in character permutations and in a quantity of permutations less than said prescribed quantity of permutations to appear across said sign, means for restoring said first storage means having said lesser quantity of permutations to a normal condition, means for concurrently transferring said stored signals to a second signal receiving means, second storage means for storing said transferred signals in character permutation in said second signal receiving means and in said prescribed quantity to appear across said sign at one time, and means for concurrently restoring said second storage means to normal condition to prepare said second signal receiving means to receive subsequent signals to be transferred from said first signal receiving means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,110,872 9/1914 Borschneck 340-339 X 2,770,796 11/1956 Boer 340365 X NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner. H. I. PITTS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A CHANGING MESSAGE DISPLAY SIGN COMPRISING A LONGITUDINAL DISPLAY FIELD MADE UP OF A PLURALITY OF TRANSVERSE AND LONGITUDINAL ROWS OF SELECTIVELY ILLUMINABLE LAMPS, A PLURALITY OF SEPARATED ANNULAR ROWS OF LAMPS SWITCHES ONE FOR EACH LONGITUDINAL ROW OF LAMPS DISPOSED CO-AXIALLY ABOUT A COMMON SHAFT IN SEPARATE GROUPS, A SEPARATE ROTOR FOR EACH GROUP ROTATABLE IN CONCENTRIC RELATION THEREWITH AND EACH CARRYING AN ANNULAR SERIES OF SWITCH-OPERATING MEMBERS ADAPTED ON MOMENTARY CONTACT DURING ROTATION TO OPERATE SAID SWITCHES TO FLASH SAID LAMP IN MOVING-CHARACTER FORMATIONS WHICH CONTAIN LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE LINES AMONG THE CHARACTERS, EACH OF SAID SWITCHES COMPRISING A PAIR OF PARALLEL ELONGATED CONTACT POINT SUPPORTS WHICH INCLUDE A MAKE-AND-BRAEAK ACTION AND ARE MOUNTED STATIONARY RELATIVE TO THE ROTATION OF THE SAID ROTOR, ALL OF SAID CONTACT SUPPORTS EXTENDING RADIALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID COMMON SHAFT, ALL OF SAID ROTORS BEING INDEXED IN FIXED ANNULAR RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER AND TO SAID SWITCHES AND EFFECTING A SYNCHRONIZED OPERATION AMONG THE CORRESPONDING SWITCHES IN EACH GROUP OF SAID 